- Nov 23, 2015
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A great win by the boys at Optus Stadium last start. We began hard and kept the running game up throughout the match, to enjoy a percentage boosting victory against the Eagles. But that is just what should have been the outcome. The harder task is next week's game, as we turn our attention to the high-flying Cats. They have an easy run home to a likely top-4 ladder position, and this game will be one of the hardest matchups. After the Giants beat them at home earlier in the year, I'm sure that they will be aiming to return the favour. For us, winning a game against a top 8 opponent is vitally important for us to reach the finals, and a home game is one that we need to win.
Given the performance against the Eagles, no doubt Adam Kingsley will be favourably disposed towards the 23 who got that job done. But there is likely to be selection pressure coming on, with several players likely to return from injury/illness. Hopefully (but not guaranteed) Jesse Hogan will be recovered. We saw against Eagles that Max Gruzewski didn't get much opportunity, so that's an easy out if Jesse gets up. (And we really need Jesse to be 100% fit and healthy if we really want to compete with Geelong.) In fact, even if Jesse doesn't get up, I'd be inclined to make Stringer the third tall and replace Gru with a player in a different position.
Lachie Whitfield should surely be recovered from his concussion after the extra week. James Leake was steady as his replacement against Eagles, but is not going to keep Lachie out of the team. His best chance might be as sub, although it's possible Buckley's injury could see him retain his spot. There will be close watch this week on Jack Buckley's ankle. Badly rolled, the outlook is not positive at all in my view. Do we go in undermanned and rejigged in the backline with just Aleer-Idun-Himmelberg as the talls, which could keep Leake's spot, or do we (finally) give Wade Derksen a debut to keep our defensive structure in place? Derksen-Aleer have been impressive at VFL level, so I'd have no qualms about that, but Kingers might have a different view.
Finally, the question for the midfield will be whether Cogs did enough in his three quarters of VFL to demand inclusion, or is he still a touch underdone? We're going to have to rely on the coaching and fitness team to make the right call. If he does come in, who for? Rowsten would be more like-for-like in normal circumstances, but if we play Cogs more as a winger, then is it in place of Angwin? Angwin was actually pretty solid against Eagles; but then either he or Rowsten would be unlucky. The other option would be dropping Harvey Thomas, who was the sub (which probably sees either Cogs, Angwin or Rowsten as the sub anyway).
Geelong will be a hard fight. We will need everyone to be one from the first bounce, and play 100% no matter who is selected. What are your thoughts on the team, your preferred selections, or the matchups?
Given the performance against the Eagles, no doubt Adam Kingsley will be favourably disposed towards the 23 who got that job done. But there is likely to be selection pressure coming on, with several players likely to return from injury/illness. Hopefully (but not guaranteed) Jesse Hogan will be recovered. We saw against Eagles that Max Gruzewski didn't get much opportunity, so that's an easy out if Jesse gets up. (And we really need Jesse to be 100% fit and healthy if we really want to compete with Geelong.) In fact, even if Jesse doesn't get up, I'd be inclined to make Stringer the third tall and replace Gru with a player in a different position.
Lachie Whitfield should surely be recovered from his concussion after the extra week. James Leake was steady as his replacement against Eagles, but is not going to keep Lachie out of the team. His best chance might be as sub, although it's possible Buckley's injury could see him retain his spot. There will be close watch this week on Jack Buckley's ankle. Badly rolled, the outlook is not positive at all in my view. Do we go in undermanned and rejigged in the backline with just Aleer-Idun-Himmelberg as the talls, which could keep Leake's spot, or do we (finally) give Wade Derksen a debut to keep our defensive structure in place? Derksen-Aleer have been impressive at VFL level, so I'd have no qualms about that, but Kingers might have a different view.
Finally, the question for the midfield will be whether Cogs did enough in his three quarters of VFL to demand inclusion, or is he still a touch underdone? We're going to have to rely on the coaching and fitness team to make the right call. If he does come in, who for? Rowsten would be more like-for-like in normal circumstances, but if we play Cogs more as a winger, then is it in place of Angwin? Angwin was actually pretty solid against Eagles; but then either he or Rowsten would be unlucky. The other option would be dropping Harvey Thomas, who was the sub (which probably sees either Cogs, Angwin or Rowsten as the sub anyway).
Geelong will be a hard fight. We will need everyone to be one from the first bounce, and play 100% no matter who is selected. What are your thoughts on the team, your preferred selections, or the matchups?
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